Frederick William “Bill” Dupré

August 28, 1939 ~ May 18, 2021

It is with great sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of our Dad, Frederick William “Bill” Dupre at the age of 82 in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan after a full well lived life.

Dad had an adventurous spirit and a strong work ethic and he loved northern Saskatchewan especially the areas of La Ronge and Waskesiu.

Bill’s personality can be described as charming, intelligent and articulate, determined and passionate.

He was a man who loved work and the outdoors and followed his own path in life.

He was a good father to his kids, Arthur, Mel, Gordy, Billy and Margaret and raised his four boys on his own after our Mom’s death in 1978.

Dad was an avid reader and writer, and was a talented athlete who played hockey, baseball, football, weightlifting, jogging, and golf in his lifetime, and he was a dedicated Saskatchewan Rough Rider fan and he loved to tell a good joke.

Although he attained his Bachelor of Commerce Degree at the University of Saskatchewan, Dad preferred to work on the land rather than at a desk. During the summers while going to University, Dad became a Smoke Jumper, and parachuted from a plane over 50 times to fight fires in Northern Saskatchewan. After he attained his Commerce Degree he worked with the Government of Canada Manpower Services as a Mentor helping people attain jobs and training for careers in Prince Albert, and then moved to the La Ronge area and became a payroll clerk at Anglo-Rouyn Mine. He soon realized that the miners were making more money than he did and made the decision to begin working underground.

Goldmining became his passion and he mentioned many times that he still had reoccurring dreams about working underground that made him feel very happy, goldmining led him to

La Ronge where he met the love of his life, our Mother, May Charles.

Over the years Dad was employed as a Gold Miner, Smoke Jumper, Northern Taxi Driver, Steel Worker and Forest Product Entrepreneur, but he always found the energy to be a good father and show his kids the outdoors that he loved, and telling us that we were loved.

Dad was a spiritual man who was inspired by the Alcoholics Anonymous program, and we would like to acknowledge and thank everyone in “the Program” in Regina and Prince Albert for their kindness and support who helped Dad as he struggled with his sobriety journey.

A special acknowledgement also to Dad’s many lifelong friends, who always treated him with kindness and respect and whose company Dad always enjoyed, Jim Zaparaniuk, a friend of 37 years and especially his cousin John Davis who has been “his friend since birth”, attending grade school, high school and University with him and shared many special memories with Dad while staying the cabin of his special Aunt Lulu Davis and working as a caddie at the Waskesiu Golf course.

Dad is survived by his five children;

His Son-Art Charles, and his children William, Haley, Ayden, and Broden

His Son-Mel Charles, and his children Ryan (Great-Granddaughter Charlie), Jake and Micheal

His Son-Gordon (Tahnni) and their children, Danielle (Andrew)(Great-Grandsons, Lochlan, Jaxson and Boden), Mackenzie (Sam), Ryland (Molly), Taylor (Aiden) and Brennan (Anna)

His Son-Bill (Jenny) and their children, Daniel, Nicolas, Trystan and Kaden

And His Only Daughter -Margaret (Tony) and their children Jerika ( Great-Granson Jaxon and Great Granddaughter Montana), Zachary (Summer), Kiana and McKenna

Dad was pre-deceased by

His true love May Florence Charles in August 1978,

His Mom Louise Dupre in September, 1994

His Brother George Dupre, on March 11th, 1959 in a surveying helicopter crash,

His Father Frederick Louis Edward Dupre in Service to his country with the Royal Canadian Air Force as a Pilot Officer on March 29th, 1943 in action

The service for Bill Dupre will be a graveside service at the South Hill Cemetery in Prince Albert at a later date.

Thanks for everything you were Dad, and for making us proud to be your children.

We love you

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.grays.ca.  Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Gray’s Funeral Chapel, (306) 922-4729.

• Date : 2021-05-18
• Location : Prince Albert, SK